Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah submits his resignation letter to Prabhu Shankar, Special Secretary to the Governor of Karnataka, at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru on Thursday (May 28). Also seen are Siddaramaiah's Cabinet colleagues and others. Photo: Lok Bhavan
LIVE! Siddaramaiah resigns as Karnataka CM; says 'humbly' declined RS seat
DK Shivakumar is set to become the new chief minister of Karnataka. Siddaramaiah served as CM for more than 8 years over two terms
Siddaramaiah on Thursday afternoon (May 28) resigned as Karnataka Chief Minister, paving the way for his deputy DK Shivakumar to be elevated.
He submitted his resignation at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru. However, he could not hand over the resignation letter to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, who is not in town due to his prior engagements, and has travelled to Mumbai.
Siddaramaiah handed over the resignation letter to Special Secretary to the Governor, R Prabhu Shankar.
Earlier in the day, Siddaramaiah informed Cabinet colleagues of his decision to step down during a breakfast meeting at his residence.
Shivakumar and other Cabinet colleagues attended the breakfast meeting.
In a picture shared by the Chief Minister's Office, Siddaramaiah is seen hugging an emotional Shivakumar. In another picture, CM hopeful Shivakumar is seen touching the feet of Siddaramaiah and taking his blessings.
Minister breaks down
Labour Minister Santosh Lad turned emotional and broke down when the reporters questioned him about the developments in the meeting.
Excise Minister RB Timmapur said a few ministers turned emotional at the meeting when the CM announced his decision to step down.
Minister of Science and Technology N S Boseraju said the discussions also reflected on the government's performance over the last three years and preparations for the future.
"Everybody joined today. So everybody spoke well. Chief Minister and Deputy CM said how they have managed the government and the finances for the last three years. They urged us to maintain it in the same way for the remaining two years and said that everybody should work hard," he told reporters.
Scroll below for Live updates.
Live Updates
- 28 May 2026 1:14 PM IST
Siddaramaiah will visit Lok Bhavan at 2.30 PM to tender resignation: Official
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who informed his cabinet colleagues of his decision to step down during a breakfast hosted at his residence, will visit Lok Bhavan at 2:30 PM to tender his resignation, an official said on Thursday.
Siddaramaiah will later address a press conference at 3:00 PM, according to officials in his office.
- 28 May 2026 1:12 PM IST
Minister HK Patil: Siddaramaiah will resign at 3 PM today; DK Shivakumar will be new CM
"Chief Minister will resign at 3 PM (today). CM Siddaramaiah said that we will make DK Shivakumar the new CM, he will become the CM," Karnataka Minister HK Patil told reporters.
- 28 May 2026 1:08 PM IST
Siddaramaiah to resign by 3:30 PM today: Ministers
Siddaramaiah to resign by 3:30 PM today, say Ministers.
- 28 May 2026 1:06 PM IST
Siddaramaiah likely to resign today; something 'fishy' in power transition: BJP leader Sadananda Gowda
Former Karnataka CM and BJP leader DV Sadananda Gowda told ANI, "Everything is not going smoothly. In spite of lengthy discussions between the central leaders, Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, the decision taken by them has not been clearly communicated. But it appears that Siddaramaiah is likely to resign today. Unfortunately, the Governor is not present as he has gone to his native place for personal reasons...Something seems fishy in this transition, and handing over the Chief Minister post to DK Shivakumar is not happening smoothly..."
- 28 May 2026 12:42 PM IST
Siddaramaiah to address media at 3pm amid leadership buzz: Report
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to visit Lok Bhavan at 2.30 pm today. He will later address a press conference at 3 pm from his official residence, Krishna, amid the ongoing leadership transition in the state, reported India Today.
- 28 May 2026 12:29 PM IST
Siddaramaiah likely to leave for Delhi amid CM buzz: Report
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is likely to leave for Delhi around 5 pm on a private aircraft as political developments continue to unfold in Karnataka, amid the ongoing leadership transition within the Congress government, reported India Today.
The report further stated thatthe Congress Legislature Party is also expected to convene a meeting tomorrow evening at a private hotel in Bengaluru, a move seen as significant in the backdrop of mounting speculation over a change in leadership. Media reports over the past few days have pointed to intensified consultations within the Congress amid indications that Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar could take over as the next Chief Minister.
The developments come after a series of meetings involving ministers and senior party leaders in Bengaluru, with several Congress leaders publicly hinting at Siddaramaiah’s resignation. However, the party leadership has yet to issue an official statement confirming any transition.
- 28 May 2026 12:25 PM IST
Ramalinga Reddy says Siddaramaiah to resign by 3.30 PM
Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Thursday indicated that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was set to step down later in the day following a breakfast meeting with ministers and senior Congress leaders in Bengaluru.
“By 3.30 pm, he is going to resign...He has thanked all our ministers for our cooperation...” Reddy told reporters after the meeting.
His remarks added to mounting speculation over a leadership transition in Karnataka, with political activity intensifying across the state capital. Media reports have suggested that Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is likely to succeed Siddaramaiah as part of an internal arrangement within the Congress, though the party has not officially announced any change in leadership.
The breakfast meeting, attended by cabinet colleagues and senior leaders, is believed to have focused on the government’s tenure and internal coordination. Supporters of Shivakumar have meanwhile gathered outside his residence, celebrating amid expectations that he could soon take over as Chief Minister.
- 28 May 2026 12:22 PM IST
HK Patil says DK Shivakumar will be Karnataka CM
Karnataka Minister H.K. Patil on Thursday added to the growing speculation over a leadership change in the state, claiming that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would step down later in the day and that Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had been chosen to succeed him.
“Chief Minister will resign at 3 o'clock. CM Siddaramaiah said that we will make DK Shivakumar the new CM, he will become the CM,” Patil told reporters after attending Siddaramaiah’s breakfast meeting in Bengaluru.
The remarks came amid heightened political activity within the ruling Congress and a series of meetings involving ministers and senior leaders. Media reports over the past few days have pointed to renewed discussions around an alleged power-sharing arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, although the party has not issued any official confirmation regarding a resignation or leadership transition.
Supporters of Shivakumar have meanwhile begun celebrating across parts of Bengaluru, anticipating his elevation to the Chief Minister’s post.
- 28 May 2026 12:17 PM IST
Siddaramaiah backs DK Shivakumar for CM post: Report
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is learnt to have proposed Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s name for the chief minister’s post during a meeting with senior Congress leaders, signalling that Shivakumar is likely to take over the top job in Karnataka, reported India Today.
The development comes amid intense political activity in Bengaluru and mounting speculation over a leadership transition within the ruling Congress. Media reports in recent days have suggested that discussions around a power-sharing arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar had gathered momentum, though the party has not made any formal announcement on the issue.
They further stated that Siddaramaiah’s endorsement of Shivakumar during the meeting was viewed as a key step in ensuring a smooth transition. Supporters of Shivakumar have also stepped up celebrations and public messaging, anticipating his elevation as the next Chief Minister.
- 28 May 2026 12:04 PM IST
Youth Congress backs Priyank Kharge for Deputy CM
Indian Youth Congress workers offered prayers at the Shri Sharana Basaveshwara Temple in Kalaburagi while urging the party leadership to appoint Priyank Kharge as the state’s Deputy Chief Minister.
